Only love her when you let her go - Summer 2007

I looked over at Draco.  "How about what drove you to start drinking?" I suggested.  "I know that you and Pansy have been having issues since Keegan's death... but either you haven't told anyone what was going on or even Juniper won't say a word.  Which doens't surprise me one bit that she doesn't break your confidence of secrecy the two of you have."

"Well, part of it was just the fact of losing Keegan," I said to him honestly.  "But then again... some of it was the way that Keegan died.  Lucius... he twisted Pansy's words.  He got me to believe that she had something to do with it.  After that fight -- even though she convinced me that she did not want to lose Keegan, we were never the same... and I just hid, I guess."

I nodded as he spoke.  "Draco... your relationship with Pansy could not be any better.  I mean, from before all of this," I said to Draco honestly.  There was no way that the two of them could not get trhough this.  "Just give it all time, okay.  You need to get yourself out of this like you did last time.  I know the birth of the twins and Juniper helped you through it before.  What do you need now?  We're all here for you."

I sighed, not entirely sure what I needed. "I don't know, Lincoln," I said to him honestly.  "I know that I need to do something, though.  I can't keep doign this.  I need Pansy -- Ian.  But she won't take me back unless I know how to fix everything... and this time, I don't>"

I looked over at him.  "Just be honest wiht her, Draco," I said to him.  "It's the best chance you've got."  I did not want to mention  that it might be the only chance he had.

I could tell that there was something that Lincoln was not saying.  It was probably exactly what was on my mind.  "I don't know if Pansy will handle anything else," I said to him.  "But I can't lose her or Ian... they're the only ones who have kept me from doing more than just this..."

I sighed, knowing that was exactly what was going on.  I had spoken to Pansy before coming out to find Draco for her.  She was done with everything.  Pansy had to make sure that Ian was okay and Draco was not helping anything.  "Then you're going to have to tell her this," I said to my brother-in-law.  "You just need a good night's sleep, nothing to drink, and a shower."  I figured hte shower would help get the booze off of him.  "JUst take it one step at a time.  An, right now, that means figuring out the plan."

I chuckled slightly at Lincoln.  No wonder he could get through to Juniper -- he was good.  "So, I guess step one of the plan needs to be me finding a place for the night," I said.  "I'm not staying with you and June -- I on't want to deal with my sister right now."

I sighed and looked at him.  "If you want to deal with your sister, stay with us," I said to him.  "But... another option... I can always talk to my parents.  They're always nonjudgemental and will let you stay there, I'm sure."  I, of course, was talking about my adoptive parents -- the Lupins.  They were always so kind.  I knew that if I vouched for Draco, they would not mind.

I looked at Lincoln and shook my head.  "No, thank you," I said, knowing that he had to realize I did not want to handle Juniper at hte moment.  She would be livid with me.  I stared with disbelief.  "I doubt they would want to deal with me crashing for a night..." Besides, I felt like I was too old to be needing to crash at someone's place.  I would figure something out.  There were only a few hours before sunrise anyways.  I could find a 24-hour diner and stay in there to completely sober up and then go home afterwards.

I understood his hesitation.  "I can get you somewhere, though," I assured him.  I was not going to let him sober up on his own.  That might lead to disaster.

I shook my head.  "I know a Muggle place where they won't ask questions and I don't have to worry about anyone knowing that I was not with Pansy tonight," I said to him quietly.  "That way she and Ian are both safe... if word got back to certain people..." I knew that Lincoln understood what I was getting at.

I nodded, understanding what he was getting at.  "Alright," I said to him.  "And you'll be okay there, though?"  I did not want to leave him alone unless I knew that he was goign to be alright.

I looked at Lincoln.  "Yes, I'll be fine," I said to him.  "Just go check in on Pansy... and make sure that June is okay -- along with the kids.  I'll be fine.  I just need to get rest, sober up, and then I'll go see her in the morning."  Where was I going to go?  Well, the bar -- Winchesters -- to talk to Stacey about crashing in the place I knew they had above the pub.  Hopefully if it was already rented out or something, she would have a suggestion of where I could go.

I gave Draco a look.  I was not entirely sure if I believed him on that.  But I knewbetter than to argue with him.  "Okay, that works," I said to him reluctantly.  "Just don't get into any trouble."